Powered handheld cutting tool

Abstract

A handheld cutting tool includes a motor, a driven gear coupled to the motor and a sprocket coupled for co-rotation with the driven gear, a housing, a guide bar extending from the housing, a chain supported on the guide bar and engaged with the sprocket such that rotation of the sprocket moves the chain along the guide bar, a battery pack removably coupled to the housing, the battery pack including a foot portion on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in an upright position, and one or more support faces on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in a horizontal position, the one or more support faces extending forward of the housing, the one or more support faces defining a face plane that is non-intersecting with the foot portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handheld cutting tool comprising:
 a motor;   a driven gear coupled to the motor and a sprocket coupled for co-rotation with the driven gear;   a housing in which the motor and driven gear are located;   a guide bar extending from the housing;   a chain supported on the guide bar and engaged with the sprocket such that rotation of the sprocket moves the chain along the guide bar;   a battery pack removably coupled to the housing, the battery pack comprising a foot portion on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in an upright position; and   one or more support faces on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in a horizontal position, the one or more support faces extending forward of the housing, the one or more support faces defining a face plane that is non-intersecting with the foot portion.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein a center of gravity of the handheld cutting tool is located directly above the foot portion in the upright position. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a motor housing portion, a handle portion extending from the motor housing portion, and a handle guard extending between the handle portion and the motor housing portion. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 3 , wherein the face plane is spaced apart from an exterior surface of the handle guard. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 4 , wherein an interior portion of the handle guard and the handle portion of the housing collectively define an opening through which a user's hand is positionable for grasping the handle portion. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 5 , wherein the housing further comprises a drive housing portion extending from the motor housing portion, wherein the motor housing portion and the drive housing portion are oriented with respect to one another at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 1 , wherein the chain does not intersect the face plane. 
     
     
         8 . A handheld cutting tool comprising:
 a motor;   a driven gear coupled to the motor and a sprocket coupled for co-rotation with the driven gear;   a housing in which the motor and driven gear are located, the housing comprising a handle portion extending below the motor;   a guide bar extending from the housing above the handle portion;   a chain supported on the guide bar and engaged with the sprocket such that rotation of the sprocket moves the chain along the guide bar;   a foot portion disposed below the handle portion and on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in an upright position; and   two or more support faces comprising an upper support face and a lower support face on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in a horizontal position,   wherein the upper support face is disposed, at least in part, above the handle portion in the upright position, and   wherein the lower support face is disposed, at least in part, below the handle portion in the upright position.   
     
     
         9 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 8 , wherein a center of gravity of the handheld cutting tool is located directly above the foot portion in the upright position. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 8 , wherein the handheld cutting tool further comprises a battery pack selectively received on the housing, the battery pack comprising the foot portion. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 8 , wherein the housing further comprises a motor housing portion and a handle guard, wherein the handle portion extends from the motor housing portion, and wherein the handle guard extends between the handle portion and the motor housing portion. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 11 , wherein an interior portion of the handle guard and the handle portion of the housing collectively define an opening through which a user's hand is positionable for grasping the handle portion. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises a drive housing portion extending from the motor housing portion, wherein the motor housing portion and the drive housing portion are oriented with respect to one another at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         14 . A handheld cutting tool comprising:
 a motor;   a driven gear coupled to the motor and a sprocket coupled for co-rotation with the driven gear;   a housing in which the motor and driven gear are located, the housing comprising a handle portion extending below the motor in an upright position;   a guide bar extending from the housing;   a chain supported on the guide bar and engaged with the sprocket such that rotation of the sprocket moves the chain along the guide bar;   a handle guard extending from the handle portion;   a foot portion disposed below the handle portion and on which the handheld cutting tool is supported in the upright position; and   one or more support faces defining a plane that is disposed forward and spaced apart from the handle guard, the handheld cutting tool being supported at the plane in a horizontal position.   
     
     
         15 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein a center of gravity of the handheld cutting tool is located directly above the foot portion in the upright position. 
     
     
         16 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the handheld cutting tool further comprises a battery pack selectively received on the housing, the battery pack comprising the foot portion. 
     
     
         17 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the housing further comprises a motor housing portion and a handle guard, wherein the handle portion extends from the motor housing portion, and wherein the handle guard extends between the handle portion and the motor housing portion. 
     
     
         18 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 17 , wherein an interior portion of the handle guard and the handle portion of the housing collectively define an opening through which a user's hand is positionable for grasping the handle portion. 
     
     
         19 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 17 , wherein the housing further comprises a drive housing portion extending from the motor housing portion, wherein the motor housing portion and the drive housing portion are oriented with respect to one another at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld cutting tool of  claim 14 , wherein the chain does not intersect the plane.